Explore Black History

1978

A white plastic cassette tape with recordings of two episodes of the radio program The Literary Corner. The cassette has a beige label on which typewritten text on one side reads [THE LITERARY CORNER / B W O T W Sonia Sanchez (Life & Works)]. The typewritten text on the other side reads [THE LITERARY CORNER / B W O T W Haki Madhubuti (life&works)].
Side A: “Sonia Sanchez’s Life and Work”
Episode 13 of the Literary Corner radio program. It begins with an excerpt from “Poem Number Seven” and is a discussion of Sonia Sanchez’s work and experiences as a writer. Some of the topics covered in this episode are projects Sanchez was working on at the time of the interview, such as a collection of poetry called Haikus/Tankas & Other Love Syllables, a novel called After Saturday Night Comes Sunday, and a play on Bessie Smith; her early childhood and experience attending Hunter College; the genesis of her writing career and meeting individuals such as Louise Bogan (at NYU), Leroy “Amiri Baraka” Jones and A.B. Spellman; writing for children/young audiences, especially her children’s book The Adventures of Fathead, Smallhead and Squarehead. The episode concludes with Sanchez reading some of her poetry, including a poem called “Poem at Thirty” from her book, Homecoming and others from A Blues Book for Blue Black Magical Women.
Side B: “Haki Madhubuti’s Life and Works”
Episode 14 of the Literary Corner radio program entitled “Haki Madhubuti’s Life and Works.” The episode begins with the host, Pam Johnson, introducing the guest, who she says, “has been called one of the most radical Afro-American poets of the 1960s and 70s because of his writings on black nationalism.” Some of the topics discussed in this episode are Madhubuti’s childhood in Detroit and his reaction to his mother’s death when he was sixteen (16) years old; his experience joining the United States Army and his subsequent radicalization; some of his prominent works, such as Think Black, Black Pride, Don’t Cry, Scream, Book of Life, as well as Enemies: The Clash of Races. The episode concludes with Madhubuti reading his poem “Rise Vision Comin” as jazz music plays in the background.

Transcribed by digital volunteers

Cassette tape with two episodes of the Literary Corner radio program

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

The Literary Corner: Black Writers of the World

Time-based Media - Audio

BAM (Black Arts Movement 1965-1976)

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Contributed in memory of Professor Sarah Webster Fabio (1928-1979), poet, educator, Black Arts Movement icon, and one of the Literary Corner's analysts.

National Museum of African American History and Culture

2010.17.1.7a

audio cassettes

© Brooks B. Robinson
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

plastic and tape

H x W: 2 3/4 × 4 1/4 × 5/8 in. (7 × 10.8 × 1.6 cm)
Duration (side a): 00:15:11
Duration (side b): 00:15:10

Title • The Literary Corner: Sonia Sanchez’s Life and Work (side a) / Haki Madhubuti’s Life and Works (side b)

nmaahc_2010.17.1.7a

NMAAHC

THE LITERARY CORNER: SONIA SANCHEZ’S LIFE AND WORK (SIDE A) / HAKI MADHUBUTI’S LIFE AND WORKS (SIDE B)

National Museum of African American History and Culture

CC0

1970s

Sanchez, Sonia • Fabio, Sarah • Robinson, Brooks B. • Makward, Edris • Cham, Robert • Madhubuti, Haki R. • Johnson, Pam • Baraka, Amiri

New York City • Detroit • United States • Chicago • North and Central America • Illinois • Clark County • Wayne County • Michigan

Literature • BAM (Black Arts Movement 1965-1976) • Poetry • Radio

Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America • City • New York City • County • New York • State • New York • City • Detroit • County • Wayne County • State • Michigan • City • Chicago • County • Clark County • State • Illinois

Sound recordings

Limited Use